This organization is devoted to the enhanced use of software pre-planning to solve
a computer system problem on its first occurrence. People rely on computers more and more as critical components of an incredible
variety of environments. The need to diagnose and fix (resolve) a computer problem on its FIRST occurrence is often urgent.
Many, even seemingly small and inexpensive computers have become what formerly were called 'mission-critical' Enterprise
Systems. But even organizations with systems which are NOT 'mission-critical' can benefit from more accurate
and more rapid problem resolution.

FIRST FAULT PROBLEM RESOLUTION TOOLS

Solving Unique Problems on Their First Occurrence

Our classical model is the airplane 'black-box', or data recorder. This has evolved over more than 70 years, and is a
popularly accepted and dependable technology to resolve airplane crashes by its data alone. In the computer industry, the
model was followed and continued, 45 years ago, by mainframe platforms ("operating systems"). Other tools can facilitate and
often provide necessary, but not always sufficient information to resolve a computer problem on its first occurence.

Detecting problem occurrences and matching symptoms

The difference can be found in problem detection tools (let you know if a server is 'down') and problem matching/'screening'
tools to match the symptoms of a current problem to the symptom and fix of a prior problem vs. detailed internal data to solve
a new and unique problem on its first occurrence. Problem detection tools and screening tools are valuable, but what
can be most valuable are tools that enable root-cause problem-solving.

You need all of these kinds of tools. We assist in the use of pre-existing tools, and creation of new tools, with
experience designing and using many kinds of software tools. In addition, we will guide systems design for first-fault
serviceability capability.

Tool Capabilities

The list of products that 'monitor' a computer system for performance and/or reliability faults is very large -
there are many such products. For workload imbalances, these tools are sufficient. But for complex internal problems, there
are very few root-cause-solving products. We have a wide range of vendor products to point to for instances of these capabililties, but
we have direct experience with many of them.

OUR GOAL

We provide advice, via consulting engagements. Our advice will facilitate understanding a particular organization's services
and/or products, and making improvements to their current attainment. We will help organizations further exploit technology
already present at their site, make investments in additional products, and help them develop improved first-fault problem
resolution features and products, as each organization feels appropriate. We can benefit both end-user 'data-center' or system
deployment organizations, and also software product developers - both types of organizations can benefit from improvement
in their First Fault Problem Resolution capabilities. Our consulting engagements are customized, of course, but can include
basic assessments such as first-fault problem resolution success (how many problems are resolved directly, vs. how many
problems neeed further reproduction and additional 'instrumentation'). We can and have done "Availability studies"
to find opportunities for improvement - these necessarily point to the value of improving speed and accuracy of that
initial fault causing the "availability" problem.

Available NOW!

First Fault Software Problem Solving:
A Guide For Engineers, Managers, and Users

The pioneering NEW book for software developers and managers, data-centers
planners and support personnel, and end-users. Optimize your ability to create products or datacenters where software problems
can be solved as soon as possible, their first occurrence!